Chapter 75: Chapter 75

- Third Person's POV -

Clark Astrid was so surprised and the amusement in his eyes became evident upon hearing that request from his visitor. He chuckled before saying, "Oh, Zorious. After how many years of not seeing each other, the first thing that came out of your mouth is that."

Zorious clenched his fist. He had no intention of appearing in front of the former King, ever again... but he can't really do anything but seek his help since he couldn't find the Alpha King. That was the only thing he could do for his family that he cares about the most.

"My niece was kidnapped by vampires," he said, getting straight to the point. His voice was determined without fear of the consequences.

That made Clark stand up in surprise and confusion. He looked at Zorious with his brows crossed.

"By niece..." he paused, contemplating the right words. "You mean, Zoren's daughter?" He was hesitant about it, knowing that Zoren has been missing for God knows how long. No one even knew what happened to him, whether he was dead or not. But Zorious only had a brother and it was Zoren.

Zorious stared at him for a couple of seconds, thinking if he should tell Clark the truth but then he nodded.

Clark turned serious now. "Why isn't your brother asking me a favor, then?" His voice turned a bit upset.

Zorious eyes became dark, not liking where this conversation is leading to.

"Zoren is dead." He firmly said, not even liking the sound of it. He still couldn't accept that his brother was killed by mere humans, not when he really looked up to his brother... and not when their father died waiting for him to come home.

Clark couldn't believe what he just heard. Zoren is dead? But Zoren was smart, he was good at security and such like Daxton. He was good at designing weapons and fighting on the battlefield. How could he have died earlier than him?

Just as much as Clark wanted to ask how Zoren died, he dismissed the thought. He shouldn't be bothered by that Underwood. Not after everything that has happened and not after what he had done to the Royals.

"What made you think that after everything that happened, I will help your family?" Clark asked, the bitterness was evident in his voice.

Hearing the former King say those words and with Zorious being inside the castle makes him remember their youth... it was as if only yesterday.

He looked at Clark in the eye, "My brother did not do your family wrong. He was loyal to the Royals. He worked his ass off to make your family even more successful." Zorious said with his voice turning hard.

Clark laughed at that remark, "He did... except the fact that he left. Your brother disappoints us big time, he knew that he had a responsibility here in the Kingdom yet he left."

Zorious gritted his teeth. "He has a fucking life to live! He was not indebted to your family for pete's sake!" He looked frustrated as he completely remembers how hard they tried to convince the Astrid family to help them find Zoren. But Astrid did not even dare to extend their help. They could have found him then, knowing how powerful the Astrid family is.

"Calm down, Zorious. There's no need to cause havoc. My son's on it."

The amusement in Clark's eyes were evident as he said those words.

- Maive's POV -

I opened my eyes and looked around as I found myself in a forest, it was somehow familiar to me... where was I? But there was no one around.

What happened? How did I get here? Who took me here?

"Tobias!" I tried to call Tobias and even my friends' names but there were no signs of other people around me.

This place is empty of people but plenty with tall trees. Am I lost? How did I get here?

I walked around the place, trying to find someone that could help me out of here. But then, after some time of searching, I stopped as I looked at the person in front of me.

"D... dad?" I mumbled when I saw his familiar figure. He was facing his back against me and I couldn't see his face but I know damn well that it was him. Even after years have passed, I can still remember his figure... his posture and his broad back. I could still remember him... especially that he frequently visits me in my dream.

He turned around and faced me. My flesh trembled when I saw that it was really him. Dad... oh gosh, it was really dad!

Are we united? Tears began to flow from my eyes at the sight of him. I missed my father... I missed Zonen. I miss everyone, why did they even leave me alone?

My father opened his arms to welcome me for a hug. I immediately went towards him... I ran to hug him. I sobbed in my father's arms... All the longingness that I have for him has felt gone now that we are together.

I may have seen him in my dreams but it was the nightmare I always had, seeing him being tortured by the villagers.

This time, it was sort of real but unreal... I could hug him like this.

"I... missed you, Dad." I said in between my sobs as I hugged him tighter.

I couldn't believe that this moment happened, damn, I can't stop my tears.

I felt dad patted my head as he caressed it. It felt relieving... After all the pain that I've gone through, having dad like this feels rewarding. I would give up everything just to spend days like this with my father.

"You've grown beautiful and strong, my daughter..." He softly said, oh damn, I missed my father's voice... the way he cared for me before.

I dived my face more on his chest... as I continued to cry.

"It must have been hard for you to be alone." He added.

I shook my head. It was not hard, not when I could think that he had died brutally. It was nothing compared to the pain that he felt during that horrible night. To think that dad died in that forest alone in the cold night, is still breaking my heart. I was too weak then to do something for him... I was a lousy little girl who did nothing but cry.

"Thank you for surviving, Maive. I am really proud of you." He said, still playing with my hair. "Your father is sorry for leaving you..." He then kissed my forehead and I couldn't help but close my eyes, feeling this moment with him.

I enveloped my arms around him as I looked into his face. Nothing has changed the last time that I saw dad... Of course, he stopped aging after that night. He is still the handsome father I ever had.

I smiled at him, "We'll never be separated again." I was really happy just by the thoughts of him.